The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said no fewer than 411 confirmed cases and 72 deaths from Lassa fever have been recorded in the country as of 11 February 2024.
The NCDC, in its Lassa Fever situation report for week six, said the confirmed cases were recorded across 21 states and 78 LGAs in the country.
According to the situation report, 65 per cent of all the confirmed cases were from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi while 35 per cent were reported from 17 states.
Of the 65 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 24 per cent, Edo 23 per cent and Bauchi 18 per cent.
The report noted that the number of suspected cases in 2024 (2,122) decreased when compared to that reported for the same period in 2023 (8280).
The report read in part: “In week six the number of new confirmed cases increased from 70 in epi week 5, 2024 to 83 in epi week six, 2024. These were reported in Edo, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Ebonyi, Bauchi, Kogi, Plateau, Cross River, Nasarawa, Rivers, and Lagos States.
“Cumulatively from week one to six, 2024, 72 deaths have been reported with a case fatality rate of 17.5 per cent which is marginally lower than the CFR for the same period in 2023 (17.6 per cent).“
According to the NCDC, the predominant age group affected by Lassa fever is 21-30 years, and two new health workers were affected in the reporting week.
It noted that the National Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Incident Management System has been activated to coordinate response at all levels at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
About Lassa Fever
Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. The natural reservoir for the virus is the Mastomys natalensis rodent (commonly known as the multimammate rat or the African rat).
Other rodents can also be carriers of the virus.
Lassa fever initially presents like other common illnesses accompanied by a fever, such as malaria. Other symptoms include headache, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest pain, sore throat, and, in severe cases, bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, and other body openings.
The time between infection and the appearance of symptoms of the disease is three to 21 days, but early diagnosis and treatment of the disease greatly increase the chances of patient survival.
Lassa fever remains a major public health challenge as poor environmental sanitation, poor awareness, and late presentation of cases fuel the epidemic in Nigeria.